Scott David Hess

Scott was born September 29, 1953, in Racine, Wisconsin, second son of Robert Wesley and Marjorie Rae Monteith Hess. His mother survives in Lockport, IL.

Left also to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 48 years, Marnie (Margaret) Lee Bishop Hess, and their children Kyle Hess, Emma Mcdade (Jesse), and Molly Otto (Matthew Plaisier). Grandchildren Collins Otto, Sophia Mcdade, Oscar, Ellis Scott, and Avery Plaisier, and Gabriel, Grace, and Gwynn Hess also survive.

Beloved sister Kate Hess Regis (Joe) and brothers Robert Paul and Todd James (Tessa) also survive, as well as brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, dozens of cousins, and aunts and uncles who remember him fondly. Scott also had many friends who will remember him as a good sport, a frequent but graceful loser at chess, bocce, cribbage, bridge, euchre, and fish size, and an all-around fun guy.

Scott graduated from Lockport High School in 1971, and took a break after graduation to work as a sanitary engineer. He visited NIU in Dekalb in late 1971 as a prospective student for second semester. He found his future bride on the second floor of Neptune North.

Scott enlisted in the Air Force in 1972 as an X-ray technician. He was stationed at March AFB in Riverside, CA, and then Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque. He served 2 years active duty, then joined the reserves and went to work at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley, IL. In 1975, Scott was hired by ComEd Dresden Nuclear Station at an entry level. Over the years until his retirement in 2003, he earned his nuclear station operator’s license, was on site for fuel loading at Byron Station, climbed the Byron towers, trained future operators at the Braidwood training center, and took hearty doses of radiation, dosimeters or not.

Scott derived great joy from simply being present with his wife and family and friends. He did his share of solo baby care for several grandinfants, and when they got older, he taught them about fire, paper airplanes, and family love.

Scott was a person of few words, but he had a favorite mantra: "I'd rather be lucky than good". And hew was both. When pressed for words to be remembered by, he offered sincerely BE KIND. He was that, too.

Scott's last, best job as a shelver at The Urbana Free Library gave him a sense of purpose and an opportunity to make new friends.

His request was for memorials in his name be directed there, or to an organization of one's choosing.

There will be no services. Scott's wish was to be cremated. A

Celebration of Life is being planned for later this year.